2026 will see a number of important changes to health and safety legislation. Stay compliant by engaging the services of qualified, experienced consultants.
Reforms will affect building safety, fire protection, public venues and workplace wellbeing. Together, these developments signal a continued shift towards stronger accountability, improved risk management and greater protection for people in both public and private settings.
One of the most significant changes concerns the Building Safety Regulator. From January 2026, the regulator will move from being part of the Health and Safety Executive to becoming an independent executive non-departmental public body. This transition is intended to sharpen its focus on building safety and strengthen oversight and responsibility in response to lessons learned from previous failures in the built environment.
Fire safety requirements will also tighten, particularly for high-rise residential buildings. From April 2026, new regulations will require those responsible for taller residential properties to develop more detailed, person-centred fire risk assessments. These must include Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for residents who may need assistance to evacuate safely. The emphasis is on understanding individual needs rather than relying on generic procedures. Later in the year, further changes will affect new residential developments, with buildings over 18 metres required to include two staircases from the end of September 2026, following a transitional period.
In the workplace, the Health and Safety Executive is placing increased importance on mental health and wellbeing. Employers will be expected to give greater consideration to psychosocial risks such as stress, excessive workloads and burnout, treating them as core health and safety issues rather than optional wellbeing initiatives. Other regulatory changes are also on the horizon. Proposed updates to asbestos management aim to improve the quality of surveys and clarify existing rules, while a new digital waste tracking system is scheduled to begin in October 2026 to improve oversight of waste movements. Electrical safety standards for rented properties will also tighten from May 2026, with more regular inspections and testing required.
With so many changes ahead, businesses and landlords would be well advised to review their policies and procedures during 2026. Keeping a close eye on official guidance from the HSE and GOV.UK will be essential to staying compliant and ensuring people remain safe as the legal landscape continues to evolve. Based in Great Yarmouth and working throughout East Anglia, our team of health and safety consultants are here to support you.
Contact us today on 01493 659026 or email hello@foleyandbaugh.co.uk
